Connect with respect:

Australia will be kicking off an international live internet radio broadcast later today for the 10th anniversary of Safer Internet Day.  

‘Connect with respect’ is the key message of the program which airs today between 5pm and 8pm, before handing over to the UK to pick up the broadcast.

The program will feature Australian children and teenagers, parents and teachers, plus local and international technology and cybersafety experts. The broadcast will be available to stream live from www.cybersmart.gov.au, an initiative of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Representatives from organisations including Childnet International, the Family Online Safety Institute in the US, Google, Facebook, Disney, eBay, Telstra, Paypal, Kids Helpline, state police departments are also taking part in the ACMA’s activities on the day.

“Safer Internet Day is a fantastic opportunity for us all to come back to the basics of online safety by thinking about how we can be better digital citizens,” said Deputy Chairman of ACMA, Richard Bean. “The resources Cybersmart is providing for the day allow everyone to participate and show our practical online safety material to the world.”

The worldwide theme of Safer Internet Day is aimed at encouraging people to think about their online rights and responsbilities at a time when new research commissioned by Telstra shows that Australian children, on average, are online for two hours each day. This is one of the highest internet usage rates in the world.

Telstra’s General Manager, Digital Inclusion, Jill Riseley said that with so many children now online so often it was important for parents to teach their kids how to be good digital citizens. 

Ms Riseley said the research showed the top three concerns for parents of children using the internet were protecting personal information, exposure to inappropriate content and cyber-bullying. 

“The research shows that on average kids are spending 14 hours online a week and the family home is the most common place kids are doing this,” Ms Riseley said. 

“We found that three quarters of parents have rules for their children’s internet use with access to certain websites, use of certain apps or games and limits on the amount of online time spent each day all being regulated in some way. 

“While these rules will help protect children from inappropriate content and create a balance between participating online and being active during the day, these days online safety is more than just using security software and passwords, it involves the actual ethics of being online and respect for others.” 

Ms Riseley said the best way for parents to teach children respect for others and protect them against cyber-bullying was to find out what they did on social media sites and be involved in their online world.

It was also important to remind children that saying things online was the same as saying things in real life. 

Here are Telstra's six tips for parents to help keep children safe online.

1. Be involved – talk to your kids and find out what they do in their digital lives. Try out your kids’ favourite apps and websites. 

2. Model good behaviour – Set a positive example for your kids by turning off your devices and practicing safe and responsible behaviour. 

3. Set time limits – establish clear rules about the amount of time kids can spend on their devices each day 

4. Encourage a balance – support your kids’ offline activities 

5. Play respectfully – Remind kids not to say mean things. If they wouldn’t do it offline, don’t do it online! 

6. Watch your steps – remind kids that what you do online today can be used against you tomorrow. So keep it private or don’t do it...a digital footprint has consequences.